By: Janakan SEEMAMPILLAI

LAURA Spiranovic is more than your average footballer. Whilst she enjoys drilling the back of the net as much as the next striker, Laura is also kicking plenty of goals off the field. In between playing for Geelong’s Galaxy United FC in the Women’s National Premier League (WNPL) and Melbourne Victory in the W-League, Laura runs two businesses, works as a relief school teacher and also finds time to coach a local girls’ team...

PHOTO: Laura Spiranovic about to lead her Galaxy team onto the pitch during a recent WNPL league match. With her is young Tiffiny Materazzo from the Breakwater Eagles Soccer Club.

Laura’s healthy work ethic on the football field is just as apparent once the final whistle sounds. Her latest entrepreneurial venture, with older sister and Galaxy team mate Amelia, will help female footballers shine on the field in much more comfortable attire. The footballing siblings have developed their own female football apparel brand called NTRL GRND (Neutral Ground). The brand was launched earlier this season in the Beyond Blue WNPL clash between Galaxy and Heidelberg United at the Olympic Village.

The brand is something the Spiranovic sisters have worked on for the past 18 months:

“In my time playing football, unfortunately, it has been common for myself and fellow teammates to be kitted up in a male cut strip. Therefore, we wanted to create a brand that considers the needs and wants of female footballers, by providing sportswear that caters for the female figure”, says Laura.

The fact that such considerations are being made for female footballers is a step forward for the women’s game, and it is a testament to Laura and clubs like Galaxy United who have been a driving force behind the extra attention given to women’s football.

Galaxy United have embraced the local football scene with great zest. As well as giving local footballers a chance to shine on a much bigger stage, the club has also reached out to local Geelong clubs. They have given young girls the chance to play at halftime and be mascots for Galaxy’s senior women’s team which comes with the chance to meet some fantastic role models such as the Spiranovic sisters, Jess Tay, Britt Elsen, Annabel Martin et al. It is a testament to the club, led by president Flavia Kaucic, that they have a fantastic and welcoming environment.

Laura is quick to praise the culture at Galaxy.

“There are many great things about Geelong Galaxy as a club. The location, the facilities, the family friendly environment and the club mentality that goes above & beyond for their players. It is a warm, welcoming and professional place to play”.

It is apparent that Laura and her team mates have thrived by being in such a positive environment. Galaxy made the grand final in their inaugural season in 2016 and are currently sitting on top of the ladder 14 rounds into their 2017 campaign. Laura herself has netted 10 goals this season including a cracker in last Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of Senior NTC.

As well as NTRL GRND, Laura and Amelia also run a coffee accessory brand called “The Coffee Cradle”. The brand distributes coffee nationwide to café’s all around the country. It would be fair to say with her hectic schedule, Laura needs more than a coffee or two to keep going.

As if playing semi-professional football and running two businesses isn’t keeping her busy enough, the University of Ballarat and Sacred Heart College graduate is also a relief teacher at Kardinia International College in Geelong. She teaches anything from art to PE. Kardinia already has a female soccer club that is one of the strongest in the local league, and having an inspiration like Laura teaching there and leading them by example will only serve to inspire those girls to aim higher.

Laura has not forgotten her roots and has shown admirable dedication in giving back to the game she loves, as well as her local community. Despite her inordinately busy life, she has still managed to find the time and energy to be the head coach of the North Geelong Warriors under 15 girls team in the local Geelong league:

“I see coaching as an opportunity to give back to the community - to pass on what I've learnt and gained from football”.

The coaching gig is something that Laura has embraced with open arms. “I enjoy watching the noticeable improvement in the players individually & collectively, as well as seeing them smile, laugh & enjoy their time together as a team”, she says.

Laura’s passion for the world game is part of her DNA, growing up in a family of talented footballers who are all products of the North Geelong Warriors, all of whom have succeeded on the football field with great distinction. Father Michael is a soccer nut who starred for the Warriors, sister Amelia captained South Melbourne’s 2011 championship winning team, and of course decorated older brother Matthew has 34 caps for the Socceroos including being part of the famous team that won the 2015 Asia Cup. Her family’s influence in her career is well appreciated by the Galaxy star:

“Ultimately, my family has been the biggest influence as without their wealth of support I would not have been able to follow or fulfil my dreams”, she says.

Playing football in Geelong close to family is clearly a happy place for Laura to be.

“For many years I commuted to Melbourne for football, therefore, it is a great feeling to only drive a maximum of 15 minutes to and from training & home games. When I play football, I am in the zone and can forget about my day to day worries”.

From her own personal experiences, Laura clearly feels that football in Geelong has a lot to offer. With this in mind she feels the region has been somewhat neglected:

“I think we suffer from being situated too close to Melbourne, in that, compared to other regional areas we don't seem to have the same facilities that they've been able to obtain”, she says.

It would be a wise move for local politicians to take note of this. With football in the region thriving, especially for females, the time has come for local government to step up and provide the facilities to support this growth.

“We need a complex that can cater for 3-4 soccer grounds that enables a tournament at the one venue”, says Laura.

What is clear about Laura is that her drive and enthusiasm is more than just about fulfilling her own ambitions, her passion for helping other females in Geelong via football is well and truly apparent. The local community is blessed to have a fantastic role model such as Laura on the scene. Football in Geelong will only garner more attention with her and her Galaxy team mates’ presence, and maybe one day we will be able to get the footballing recognition the region deserves.

PLAYER PROFILE

Name: Laura Spiranovic

Who has been the biggest influence on your soccer career? All my previous coaches have played a part in my career, particularly Alan Davidson. What have been the highlights of your career? Gold Medal winner of the Victorian Women's Premier League, as well as winning the 2013/14 grand final with Melbourne Victory. What else do you like doing besides soccer? I enjoy reading, watching movies & spending time with family & friends. Who is your soccer idol? Mark Viduka Which EPL team do you follow? Liverpool FC Which one of your Galaxy team mates would you want to be stuck on an island with? Adriana Taranto - she's a good assist. Your favourite pre game meal? A shake with vanilla protein powder, a banana, almond milk & coconut oil. Favourite holiday destination? Anywhere along the coast of Croatia.